Browns QB Battle Heats Up as Fans Boo Watson

During the Browns’ second preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills, veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson entered in the third quarter and was met with a sustained chorus of boos from the home crowd at Huntington Bank Field. Watson completed 5 of 12 passes for 35 yards and threw an interception, contributing to Cleveland’s 31-7 loss. The boos intensified after each incomplete pass, and Watson addressed the reaction in the post-game press conference. Head coach Todd Monken said the decision on the Week 1 starter—between Watson and Shedeur Sanders—will be announced on Monday, with the preseason finale scheduled for August 27 against the New England Patriots.

SportskeedaDeshaun Watson rips ‘disrespectful’ Browns fans for booing, recalls torn Achilles reaction Shedeur Sanders’ Blunt Response to Browns Fans Booing Deshaun Watson Deshaun Watson Faces Booing from Browns Fans: His Reaction! ‘It is what it is’: Deshaun Watson points to a 2024 moment while responding to Browns fans booing Shedeur Sanders calls out Browns fans for booing Deshaun Watson

Watson was acquired from the Houston Texans in March 2022 after the Browns traded three first-round picks and signed him to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. His tenure has included an 11-game league suspension in 2022, two Achilles-tendon ruptures (October 2024 and a re-tear in January 2025), and a season-ending shoulder surgery in 2023. He has started 19 games for Cleveland, posting a 9-10 record and a career QBR that would rank last among qualified starters. Off-field allegations—over two dozen women sued him for sexual-misconduct, leading to a $5 million fine and a treatment program—have kept him under intense scrutiny.

EssentiallySports

• Contract: five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million.

ESPN

• Career with Browns: 19 starts, 9-10 record, 33.1 QBR (last if qualified).

Deshaun Watson rips ‘disrespectful’ Browns fans for booing, recalls torn Achilles reaction

• Preseason vs. Bills: 5/12 completions, 35 yards, 1 interception.

Shedeur Sanders’ Blunt Response to Browns Fans Booing Deshaun Watson

• Sanders vs. Bills: 9/11 completions, 74 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception.

Shedeur Sanders calls out Browns fans for booing Deshaun Watson

• Injury history: Achilles rupture (Oct 2024), re-rupture (Jan 2025), shoulder surgery (2023).

EssentiallySports

Monken emphasized that the booing will not dictate the quarterback decision and that the staff will evaluate the “full body of work” from practice and games. Watson said the boos felt personal and disrespectful, recalling the crowd’s reaction when he tore his Achilles in 2024, and pledged to focus on moving forward. Sanders defended his teammate, noting that “we’re all human beings” and urging respect over competition.

WOIO - Cleveland News

• “I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance,” — Deshaun Watson

CBS Sports

• “He emptied his heart a little bit, and I don't think that says who he is,” — Todd Monken, Cleveland Browns coach

ESPN

• “What I'm concerned about is us playing well as a team and on offense," Monken said.” — Todd Monken, Cleveland Browns coach

ESPN

• “Yeah, I mean, in general, I don’t appreciate that at all,” — Shedeur Sanders

NBC Sports

• “That same fan base, they cheered when I got hurt. So what does that have to do about performance, when a person gets hurt, especially if they’re in the city and they cheer?” — Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson rips ‘disrespectful’ Browns fans for booing, recalls torn Achilles reaction

Monken is expected to announce the starting quarterback on Monday, finalizing the decision before the regular-season opener. The Browns will close the preseason with a game against the New England Patriots on August 27, providing one more opportunity to assess both quarterbacks under game conditions.

EssentiallySports